Short-Range Voice Communication Device for Respirators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for personal protective equipment, such as respirators, often result in muffled speech due to the filter material affecting voice signals, and may not be necessary for short-range communication, potentially disturbing others in the environment.
Innovation Solution
A short-range communication device comprising a microphone and transmitter for capturing and wirelessly transmitting voice signals, and a receiver with a loudspeaker for playing back the signal, configured to establish a communication channel within a predetermined distance, eliminating the need for additional hearing protection devices and maintaining natural communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microphone is arranged near the user's mouth to capture voice signal, then the voice signal can be transmitted wirelessly, but the speech becomes muffled due to the respirator filter material affecting the voice signal
Solution Approach 1:
The voice signal capture function is extracted from the respirator system and placed in a separate communication device worn by the user. This allows the microphone to capture voice directly without the signal passing through the respirator filter material, eliminating the muffled speech problem while maintaining reliable voice transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication device acts as an intermediary between the user's voice and the remote audio unit. The device captures, processes, and transmits the voice signal wirelessly, serving as a mediator that bypasses the respirator filter and delivers clear speech to others.
2Ease of operation
If voice signal is transmitted to everybody in the greater environment, then communication is enabled, but it disturbs those not involved in a particular working interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is designed to transmit voice signals locally to specific recipients rather than broadcasting to the entire environment. The wireless transmission targets particular audio units or devices in proximity, enabling communication with involved parties while preventing unnecessary disturbance to others in the greater environment.
3Reliability
If hearing protection device with active communication is worn, then voice signal transmission is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed as a separate universal unit that can be worn independently of the respirator or hearing protection device. It integrates microphone, wireless transmitter, and audio output in a single compact device that works with any protective equipment, avoiding the need for complex integrated systems within the protective devices themselves.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and reliable short-range communication between individuals while minimizing the impact of personal protective equipment on voice signals, allowing for natural interaction without disturbing others.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting unit (20) comprising a microphone (22) for picking up a voice signal of a user
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter (24) configured to wirelessly transmit the voice signal
Implementation Method 3
a receiving unit (40) comprising a receiver (44) configured to receive the voice signal
Implementation Method 4
at least one loudspeaker (42) for playing an audio signal to the user
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a short-range communication device (10, 10′, 5 10″) for a personal protective equipment or a personal protective device (200, 210, 220, 230) comprising a transmission unit (20, 20′, 20″) for wirelessly transmitting a voice signal of a user (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) to a receiving unit (40,40′, 40″) over a predetermined distance such that a communication channel is established between the transmission unit (20, 20′, 20″) and the receiving unit (40, 40′, 40″) so that a user (100, 10 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) can hear the voice signal. The present disclosure further relates to a short-range communication system comprising at least two short-range communication devices (10, 10′, 10″) according to the present disclosure and to a method of establishing a short-range communication between such devices (10, 10′, 10″). The short-range communication device (10, 10′, 10″) provides for a communication system 15 for the use with personal protective equipment or personal protective devices (200, 210, 220, 230) with an easy and reliable communication and avoids or minimizes the risk of muffled speech of users wearing a personal protective device (200) such as a respirator (200).